UP govt overlooked UGC rules: Teachers
TNN | Aug 8, 2012, 04.08AM IST

LUCKNOW: Higher education teachers in state universities have strongly condemned the state government's proposal to appoint vice-chancellors belonging to non-academic background in state universities. Teachers say that the term 'non-academic' is derogatory to the institutions of higher learning.
Vice-chancellor (V-C) MJP Rohilkhand University Bareilly Prof Mohd Muzammil said, "The use of the word non-academic is objectionable. If the government meant that there will be V-Cs from outside the university, it is fine but if the idea is to appoint a non-educationist in the university, it is unaccepted.'' He added that a person even from outside a university can be knowledgeable and scholarly.

The state government's idea forced Prof Nishi Pandey from the department of English and European languages, Lucknow University to raise hundred questions. "Educationists have to give proof of outstanding research, publications and administrative experience while being for vice-chancellorship. Non-academic persons will only have administrative experience. How is this justified,'' she questioned. She further added that what great has been achieved by having registrar's and finance officers? They are government servants who are manning all state universities just to have a control over it.

Senior professors argued that what is the rationale behind bringing this rule when there already exists a possibility for appointing IAS officers as V-Cs? Instead, they believed that universities should be led by a person who can have vision for academic excellence in growth of an institution. No one seems to be bothered about the academics while the quality is going into tatters,'' said Prof Pandey.

Prof Rajesh Mishra, faculty, department of sociology, LU said, The state government's move is an indication of rotten bureaucracy. It is only blocking a way ahead for people from academic background. There are many examples in the past when the universities have had V-Cs from non-academic background. In many cases, the situation has been worse.''

Senior professors felt that in this case, the state government should follow the UGC rule which says that persons of highest level of competence, integrity, morals and institutional commitment should be appointed as vice-chancellor. The V-C to be appointed should be a distinguished academician, with minimum ten years of experience as professor in the university system or at an equivalent position in a reputed research or academic organization. Teachers said that the UGC itself has, on the issue of appointment of teachers in the universities, strictly said that its rules are mandatory even if the state government issues certain orders on it.

LUTA, LUACTA submit memorandum to Guv: Lucknow University Teachers' Association (LUTA) and Lucknow University Associated Colleges Teachers' Association (LUACTA) have submitted a memorandum to the governor (who is the Chancellor of all state universities) opposing the state government's recommendation of appointing non-academic vice-chancellors in the state universities. On the issue, teachers expressed great concern and said that the state government has overlooked the rules and regulations of UGC. "It seems that the government wants total control over state varsities. At present, they already rule us financially (by appointing registrar and finance officer). They (state government) are also bringing in minimum common syllabus so that they can control us on academic front. And with coming in of VCs from non academic background, the situation will further worsen,'' said Vinod Singh, LUTA president.

His views were endorsed by LUACTA president, Manoj Pandey. In this context, the association members staged protest on Tuesday. In their four-point letter to the governor, they have said that the appointment of non-academic V-Cs will take away autonomy of the universities, thereby, affecting the quality of education. Association members have also demanded that state universities should implement the UGC rules and regulations in the same way as in Central universities.